OTTAWA, March 26, 2014 /CNW/ - Parks Canada is providing its internationally recognized conservation expertise to Mexico to help maintain and restore national parks and other protected areas and inform people about climate change adaptation through a contribution of $1,015,000 under the Government of Canada's Fast-Start Financing program.

Canada is contributing international leadership as well as learning more about approaches to protected area conservation that may also be applied in Canada to help ecosystems and people adapt to climate change. From drought mitigation to fire retardation, the successful implementation of this project is highlighting the role of national parks and other protected areas in climate change adaptation, supporting the livelihoods of local communities and contributing to the well-being of Mexican society.

Quick Facts

Canadian-supported efforts under Parks Canada's leadership in Mexico are helping the Northeast and Eastern Sierra Madre, some of the driest areas in Mexico.

The project supports the development and implementation of ecological restoration strategies in national parks and other protected areas, including soil erosion control, invasive species control, and wetland and grasslands restoration.

Important ecosystems in these protected areas are being restored with a goal of enhancing their resilience to impacts of climate change such as increased drought and fire frequency and decreased water supplies for local communities.

Quotes

"Our Government helping countries address climate change mitigation and adaptation challenges. The collaborating efforts on this project are highlighting the critical role of national parks and other protected areas in supporting the livelihoods of local communities and contributing to the well-being of Mexican society."Leona Aglukkaq, Canada's Environment Minister and Minister responsible for Parks Canada

"Through the implementation of this project, protected areas have been positioned as ideal venues for engaging the public and policy makers on climate change discussions and actions. By sharing our experience, it is our hope to highlight the importance of a well-managed protected area network to help communities cope with the impacts of climate change."Andrew Rhodes Espinoza, Director Encargado de Estrategias de Cambio Climático, Comisión Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas